Beaver Brooha

Often when we sit on our campground and watch the river go by, I hear noises that sound like a huge boulder heaved into the water by a giant hand. My husband informs me that these noises are created by beavers slapping the water with their tails. However, I've always been a skeptic until a trip upriver last week. We decided to take our version of an afternoon drive. We launched the boat at our campground boat ramp and motored leisurely upriver to Crooked Creek. We didn't include any fishing gear. We just wanted to relax and let the river work its magic of soothing peacefulness After entering the mouth of the creek, we startled a beaver who quickly dove underwater and left us; or so we thought. Being more savvy about such critters than I am, Mike said, “keep watching, he'll come back.” Within a few moments, his prediction came true. Bucky Beaver surfaced again and slapped his tail in annoyance. And true to what had been reported, his shenanigans did indeed sound like a rock had fallen into the water. On the way back to our resort, a Canadian goose flew above us and stayed with us all the way as if leading us home. Briefly I wondered if he were a part of the couple who'd visited our campground several weeks ago (see Goose Gossip on the Angels Retreat blog) You never know who or what you'll encounter on our part of the White River; but you can be sure to see what you least expect.